Meet Jesus on the path of humble service, Pope tells jubilee pilgrims

March 14, 2016

On March 12, Pope Francis held his third special monthly Saturday audience for pilgrims who have come to Rome for the extraordinary jubilee year of mercy.

“As we draw near to Easter in this Holy Year of Divine Mercy, we reflect today on the Lord’s gesture of washing the feet of his disciples,” Pope Francis told a crowd of 20,000 persons gathered in St. Peter’s Square, in the words of the official English-language synthesis of his remarks.

“In this striking act of humility, Jesus tells them, and us, to do the same for one another,” Pope Francis continued. “He gave us a clear example of his new commandment of love. As St. John says, just as he laid down his life for us, so we ought to lay down our lives for one another.”

The Pope added:

Jesus shows us that love is service – lowly, quiet and hidden – of our brothers and sisters, especially those in greatest need. By bending low to wash his disciples’ feet, Jesus also invites us to acknowledge our failings, to pray for one another and to forgive each other from the heart. He shows us that to be “merciful like the Father” means to follow Jesus daily along the path of humble service.

 

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Further information:

• Holy Year of Mercy, Jubilee audience - 2016.03.12 (YouTube Vatican)
• L’Udienza Giubilare, 12.03.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• Jubilee audience: mercy and service, 12.03.2016 (Holy See Press Office)